Episode 8 Antiques Road Trip

The nation's favourite antique experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

Well, duck, do I buy you, or don't I?

Who can make the most money

buying and selling antiques as they scour the UK?

I must be mad.

The aim is to trade up and hope that each antique turns a profit.

But it's not as easy as it looks,

-and dreams of glory can end in tatters.

-What am I going to do?

So, will it be the fast lane to success, or the slow road to bankruptcy?

I should have kept my money in my pocket.

This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

All this week, we're on the road with two lovable antiques experts,

Margie Cooper and Mark Stacey.

Look at the cows. Oh no, they're horses!

Margie is a road trip rookie,

but as a specialist dealer in silver with years of experience

under her top hat, she knows how to drive a hard bargain, oh yes.

-That's a really nice thing.

-That can be £470, if you'd like it.

On the other hand, fellow dealer Mark Stacey knows exactly what to snap up.

Vintage nutcrackers. But I won't be cracking my nuts with them.

Ha! And at the moment, his road trip know-how has put him firmly in the lead.

We've given it our best shot.

Well, you've done really well. I gave it my best shot and lost.

From his original £200,

Mark now has £257.02 to spend, spend, spend!

Whereas Margie has made losses at both auctions so far,

shrinking her original £200 to a worrying £162.46.

What a look!

This week's journey began in Chilham, Kent

and travels nearly 250 miles westwards,

across southern England to the final decider in Torquay, Devon.

Today's leg begins in Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire,

skirts round Greater London

and ends up with an auction showdown in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Despite the drizzle, our two bosom buddies are getting on famously,

speeding along in their snazzy little 1960 MGC.

-What a day.

-It's not getting any better, is it?

-Look at it, now we've got the rain.

-Are you in second gear?

-Yes.

-Are you listening to a word I'm saying?

-Yes, I am!

The small town of Sawbridgeworth boomed in the 16th century,

thanks to its proximity to the river Stort,

which enabled a roaring trade in malt.

Two antiques centres next door to each other!

-Which do you fancy?

-The blue one.

-The blue one?

-I'm going to go there, but I will be in later, so don't take all day about it.

-Good luck.

So, one gigantic antiques centre each -

that should be enough for anyone.

Sometimes, a choice like this is enough to make you long for less.

# More, more, more

# How do you like it? How do you like it?

# More, more, more... #

My word, gosh, you need hours and hours.

We don't have a week and a half, we only have a few hours and

there must be 500 cabinets at least throughout this antiques centre.

# How do you like it? How do you like it? #

More and more and more!

How many dealers do you have here?

Er...

-About 250 in this centre.

-Good Lord.

SHE WHISTLES

Can you hear my nervous whistle?

Shirley owns both antiques centres, lucky girl.

So perhaps she can shine a light on one of the cheaper items

Mark's just spotted.

A ring - I don't suppose that's gold? For five pounds, is it?

Do you know what? I think not!

-But it's always worth having a quick look, isn't it?

-You never know.

No, the only word it says on there is, "you're a fool, Mark".

No, it doesn't! No, it's just says "LUZO" - L-U-Z-0.

So at least it's not "loser"!

THEY LAUGH

No gold there, then. So, will this float his boat?

You know the story of Noah and the Ark

and the animals went in two by two?

You can get some old antique ones made in Germany which are very sought after.

This is not particularly old, it's probably about 1960s, '70s,

by the looks of it, but it's just rather fun.

They've used all different woods

for the actual animals - that's a sort of camel.

If I buy this and it makes a lot of money, Margie might get the hump(!)

SHE SNIGGERS

-Or crocodile tears!

-Or crocodile tears. Indeed!

That might be me, when it sells for a fiver.

But it is quite a lot of money, isn't it? £30.

-Who owns this, Shirley?

-A lady.

-Is she a kind-hearted lady?

-Ooh, I'm not sure how kind-hearted.

-That's not what I wanted to hear.

-Have you got a figure in mind?

-Yes, but she won't like it.

Nor will I, I'm sure. All that hard work, all that labour.

-All that sawing of those little animals.

-Nice try, Shirley.

-But Mark's not having it. Time to call the dealer.

-Hold on.

-She'd like to talk to you.

-(What's her name?)

-Valerie.

-Hello, Valerie. How are you?

I was hoping to get it for around 15, is that possible? Are you sure?

Oh, you are an angel, thank you so much.

-Thanks.

-See, I should have said ten!

-Did he charm you?

-There's no pleasing some people.

How's Margie getting on?

That piece down there is a centrepiece, that's silver plate.

-That's missing the glass.

-It was black when I got it,

-now I've had it all cleaned up and nice.

-It's had a lovely glass vase.

Yes, that's right - on top of there.

So it's a table centrepiece, in silver plate.

Very nicely cast, nice quality. Sort of late Victorian, early 20th century?

-You've got 45 on it.

-Since it's for you, this sounds terrible, 30.

-30?

-Mm. 30.

-I quite like that, Alan.

-All right then.

That's one to think about. Plenty more to see, though.

Here's a case full of more silver - that should make Margie very happy.

This is a very nice little Victorian silver brooch.

They're not uncommon, but I like this, because it's chunky.

It's in good condition, it's got a nice, crisp hallmark on the back.

Even the locket at the back looks OK. Probably around 1885, 1890.

It's £23.

So if they'll ease the price on that, I think... Can't lose, can it?

Yeah, I'll get Nick and see if we can get the price down on that.

-We can do it for 18.

-Not 15?

-No, I'm afraid not, the very best we can do is 18.

-Yeah.

-Oh, go on then.

-All right. Thank you very much.

As for Mark, well - he's going to give next door a try.

Normally I have a problem with things actually saying "buy me".

Today I'm not having that problem.

You have to admire his determination, though.

Come on, Mark, we've got to be sensible.

We've got to be very, very sensible.

How about this bit of German metalware, Mark?

-Did you check the marks?

-I have, look - you can see it there.

This basket was made by a large,

German company called Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik...

Known for good reason as WMF, a huge producer of metal tableware.

Of course the problem is that the plate has come off,

this would have all been silver plate, as you know.

-And what would we have found inside there?

-A middle.

-A glass liner.

-Mm-hm.

-And what are the chances of finding a glass liner to go in there?

-You may be lucky, but I think you'd struggle.

-I think you would struggle.

The basket is priced at £20. Will Shirley budge on the price?

I think you might squeeze £2, but is that going to buy it for you?

18 quid?

HE SIGHS

Well, I've got to buy something, haven't I?

You know what it's like, if it had been a vase

it wouldn't have been a problem.

Mind, you could still put your lemons in it.

Course, you can never have too many baskets for your lemons, can you?

-So, the deal is done at £18.

-Thank you so much for all your help.

You're welcome.

Margie is on the hunt for more silver. Time to revisit the centrepiece.

-Alan, I'm back.

-Right.

-Have you had any sales while I've been away?

-No, not yet.

-Oh, dear. So you're not in a good mood, then?

Perhaps she'll make your day, Alan.

-It was £45, without the glass in the top.

-Yes.

-And you'll...

-30. It should be yours, though, because it's your age.

THEY LAUGH

I'll do it for 25, but I can't come down any more.

Oh, bless you.

-I refuse to push you any more.

-That's a pleasure.

Thank you very much.

Well done, Margie. Another one in the bag.

And with her shopping over today,

it's time to get back into the trusty MG.

She's travelling from Sawbridgeworth to the village of Great Missenden,

where one of our national treasures,

children's writer Roald Dahl lived for much of his life.

# Come with me and you'll be

# In a world of pure imagination... #

It's now the home to a museum celebrating his writing

and archivist Jane Branfield will show Margie around.

-Margie Cooper.

-Lovely to meet you.

-What a fantastic job you've got.

-Yes, welcome to the museum.

Roald Dahl is commonly recognised

as one of Britain's greatest writers,

especially for his children's stories -

books like Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, James And The Giant Peach,

Matilda and the BFG,

all illustrated by Dahl's long-time collaborator, Quentin Blake,

are still enjoyed by millions of children all over the world.

All his manuscripts are kept here, along with, well, one of his shoes.

It's Roald Dahl's actual Norwegian sandal that he wore.

And when he wrote The BFG,

he was originally going to be wearing sort of more military, black boots,

and when Quentin Blake was working on the illustrations,

they just weren't working terribly well.

-Right.

-And then Roald sent this in the post to Quentin

-and this is what the BFG has worn ever since.

-"How about these?" Oh, that's hilarious.

Dahl kept everything he wrote -

every version and reversion of his famous stories,

some of which could have turned out quite differently.

His first draft of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory,

he showed it to his nephew and apparently he said,

"I think it's rotten, Uncle Roald."

On the very final typescript, just as it's going off to be set,

he goes through the whole manuscript

and crosses out all these WhippleScrumpets

and writes "Oompa-Loompa" above them.

# Like the Oompa-Loompa do-ba-dee-do! #

Roald Dahl used to write in a hut at the end of his garden,

in a special chair, and the museum houses a replica of it.

So time now to sit comfortably.

Margie has a treat in store - a very early draft of the BFG.

This is the first page of the first draft manuscript of the BFG,

but it's about a little boy called Jody,

as opposed to a little girl called Sophie.

-So that never went into print?

-No.

Fascinating to be here and see all this.

You know how the BFG has a particular vocabulary

-of made-up words?

-Right, yeah.

Well, Roald made a whole dictionary of these strange words

that he was going to use.

"Skizzleswipe." "Pifflemuffer."

What's a Pifflemuffer?

-I don't know.

-"Squiffler"?

Yes.

I don't know. What an imaginative...

slightly eccentric man.

Eccentric man? Ha! That reminds me of someone.

Ah, yes, there's our very own Big Friendly Giant, Mark Stacey.

He's travelling from Sawbridgeworth to St Albans

on the hunt for more treasure.

Nowadays, this is the place where many who work in the capital

choose to live, but during Roman times, the city,

named after the first Christian martyr,

was the second largest after Londinium.

Today, with St Albans being quite well-heeled,

it could be difficult to find a bargain,

but a seasoned antiques expert like Mark

should be able to squeeze a deal out of this shop.

Vintage treen nutcrackers.

Rather rude, aren't they?

I'll leave you to make your own jokes on those, all right?

I'll refrain on this occasion.

Oh, I see now, it's a pair of legs.

They are only £35, which is very reasonable for what they are.

But I won't be cracking my nuts with them, I'm afraid.

Really, Mark. You did promise.

Well, this is good.

There's no price on them, so they're free.

I like free things.

They're a pair of oil-on-canvases.

And they're purported to be a sort of naive school.

I mean, looking at the costumes the people are wearing,

they're going to be sort of mid-19th-century.

Josie. I don't know what it is, I think it's the naivety of them

that I quite like.

But I do need to buy them at the right price.

The very, very bottom would be 80 for the pair.

OK. I just think that 80 might just be a little too much for me, really.

But I would love to have them for 60.

I know that's another £20 off, but what do you think about that?

I don't think we can go that low.

Perhaps we can meet you somewhere in the middle?

-62?

-75?

-75?!

-THEY BOTH LAUGH

I love "the middle". Well, let's shake hands at 70.

-70. All right.

-Happy with that?

-We'll do 70.

-Lovely. Thank you.

Success for Mark at last.

Well, it's the end of the day,

and time for our dear experts to lay down their sleepy heads.

Day two finds our gruelling duo back on the road, raring to get shopping.

Margie's been a bit on the back foot, but it's still anyone's game.

Yesterday, Margie spent just £43 on two lots -

the Victorian silver brooch

and the Victorian silver-plated centrepiece -

leaving her with £119.46 to spend today.

Thank you very much, and I hope you win.

Whilst Mark spent £103 on three lots -

the wooden Noah's Ark with figures,

the WMF silver-plated basket

and the pair of 19th-century naive oil paintings...

What have I done?

..leaving him with £154.02 for the day ahead.

Our sparring partners have left St Albans in the dust,

and are heading for the market town of Farnham.

And Mark's going to reveal something about this place

that we didn't know.

This is a trip down memory lane for me,

cos about 27 years ago,

I started my antiques career off in the antiques centre we're going to.

Well, the shop in question is one of Farnham's finest -

Bourne Mill Antiques Centre.

I'm quite nervous, Margie. I haven't been here for ten years.

Down memory lane for you.

I bet it's changed, you know, but I can't wait, cos time is running out.

-I know.

-Age before beauty, dear.

SHE LAUGHS

What, no plaque on the wall?

It's a huge emporium, with the antique wares

of over 70 dealers spread through room after room on four floors,

and whilst Margie gets her bearings, Mark's life is flashing before him.

I worked every Sunday for about 15 quid.

I mean, it's quite funny, because I'm excited in some ways

about being back and seeing it again.

But, of course, it is quite nerve-racking,

because centres are difficult things to buy from. But...

it's rather nice. I wish I was rather back here, really.

Ah, how sweet.

Is that a tear in my eye,

or something shiny in the cabinet over there?

There's a little match-striker,

which has got a silver embossed top.

And you keep matches in there,

and when you want to light your cigar or cigarette,

you scratch it on the glass bottom.

I mean, it's priced up at £50.

They're quite collectable in their own right.

I think that's the sort of thing Margie might like, as well.

Here's another thing Margie would like.

It's described as a small, hallmarked, silver tray.

But I think...

When you look in the middle there, it says "IHS",

and I think that's from a travelling communion set.

So maybe that's for putting the wafer on.

But it's quite heavy.

It's priced at £18.

So, you know, maybe we could put those two together...

and make a lot.

That's my cunning thought at the moment, anyway.

Though time is ever ticking.

Yes, Margie, time is ticking.

All I'm saying is, only two items in the bag.

No pressure at all!

Now, don't get distracted.

Not even by Colin Firth.

Gosh, I didn't know you were in this business.

Well, he's quite handsome.

I'm sure he's got enough to do without antique dealing.

Don't worry, Margie, there's another dashing charmer just downstairs.

And he's on the phone to the owner of the two little silver items.

It's a match-striker, which you've got £50 on,

and a little silver dish or tray, that you've got £18 on,

so it's 68 in total.

Is there any chance I could make you a sneaky offer on them?

-And then you can say no.

-HE LAUGHS

Well, I was rather hoping to get them for around the £40 mark.

Or less, if you could possibly do it.

You would let them go for...?

That's wonderful. Thank you so much, Andrew. I appreciate it.

Take care. Bye. Bye.

Thank you.

Wow. What a lovely man. He's let me have them for £40.

Now, is there going to be a profit in that?

I have no idea, but I'm hoping to strike one. Ha ha(!)

TIM CHUCKLES

No such joy for Margie. Yet.

Oh, dear. I'm beginning to panic.

Oh, dear, dear, dear.

Nothing in here, nothing in here.

What am I going to do?

Every way you look, there's a little room.

Amazing what people buy, isn't it?

And it rambles on.

Tucked away in another corner of the antiques centre,

Mark's discovered his old patch -

the very place where he started out as a young dealer.

It's changed a bit over the years since I was here,

but I'm sure that my shelves were either these two here, or...

I can't remember these books being here.

But just think, from a couple of shelves...

..I've ended up where I am now.

There we are, there's hope for everyone.

I must admit, it does seem...

..rather like another lifetime ago, actually.

It's nice. It's nice looking back.

Huh.

That's very lovely but, Mark, time to force yourself to the present.

There's shopping to do.

Talking of which, where's Margie got to?

Well, she's had enough and has decided to travel to nearby Alton,

having failed to buy anything in the enormous antiques centre.

So now all her hopes are pinned on finding something...here.

"The Tiny Shop."

Well, it is tiny, isn't it? SHE LAUGHS

Very tiny.

I just hope there's something in here for me.

Otherwise I shall be back, quick-sticks, to the other place.

At Bourne Mill, Mark, it seems, is on a roll.

I saw this sign, "20% discount for cash payments on all items,"

which always attracts the attention.

These are butler's trays on stands.

This is where, you know,

the butler would put the afternoon tea or the sherry.

But the colour of the mahogany is quite nice

and what's also interesting to me is it's priced up at £70,

so if you take 20% off that, I reckon that that is...£56.

Time to get on the phone to the dealer.

Hello, Morris, how are you?

Is there any more room for negotiation on that?

You'll take 50?

I know it sounds terribly mean of me, Morris,

but I was trying to get it nearer the 40.

Could you do 45 for me?

Are you happy with that?

Fantastic. Yes, very kind of you, Morris.

I appreciate it. I hope you continue to sell lots more in your unit.

Thanks, Morris. Bye-bye. And you. Thanks.

Well, he wished me luck.

And he's let me have it for 45.

So once Mark settled up for both the butler's tray

and his silver pieces, he can afford to relax.

-Wonderful. See you later. Thanks again.

-Bye-bye.

He's off to the village of Selborne, just outside Alton.

He's here to visit the house where Gilbert White once lived,

the unlikely author of the best-known natural history book of all time.

-It must be Ronnie.

-Hello, Mark.

-Nice to meet you, I'm Mark.

Now, I'm thrilled to be here.

-I did visit the house once, about 20 years ago.

-Good.

I've forgotten all about it,

so you're going to be my little guide extraordinaire for the day?

-Let me show you.

-Lead on.

Keen collector of his work Ronnie Davidson-Houston

is going to show Mark around.

Long before David Attenborough appeared on our TV screens,

WAY back in 1789,

local village curate Gilbert White was to write a book

which was to change the study of the natural world forever.

The Natural History Of Selborne was his life's work,

a series of his letters to two other natural scientists of the day.

The book became a phenomenal success,

and is now believed to be the fourth most published work in the English language.

-The book has never been out of print since 1789.

-Oh, really? No!

And it all began with the manuscript,

which is here, which the museum owns.

-This is the genuine...?

-This is the original manuscript of the letters

that Gilbert White wrote to his two correspondents.

This 222-year-old book used to belong to Harvard University,

but back in 1980, the funds were raised to buy it back,

so it could return to Gilbert White's house.

How wonderful you got it back.

-Oh, marvellous.

-I mean, cos this really is the spiritual home for it.

Although Gilbert did dissect specimens in his study,

it was his detailed observations of animal behaviour in the wild

that was to be truly ground-breaking.

Well, he made a number of original discoveries.

-The harvest mouse, he was the first to describe.

-Oh, really?

The noctule bat, he first described as well.

And he differentiated three different species of warbler.

He listened to them - he knew that they had different calls.

And that's why people that just called them leaf warblers -

little brown birds, as it were - were suddenly illuminated

by Gilbert White to the fact that they were three different species.

Gilbert carried out much of his field work

in his beloved garden, the best views of which are from his garden.

Wonderful light, all-access to the garden and the surrounding areas.

And I can imagine him sort of setting up

and sitting in this room, scribbling away,

having noted something outside and getting it down straight away.

I'm sure if he was in bed, and heard something interesting outside,

he'd have been straight to the window with his quill and pad!

After a most enlightening visit to Gilbert White's house,

it's time for Mark to get back on the road.

Nearby in Alton, Margie's hoping she'll find something,

anything, she can buy for the auction.

Perhaps owner Rob might have some sympathy

for a poor, downtrodden, antiques expert.

-Right, it is a tiny shop.

-It is, yes.

I'm trying to make a profit in a short period of time

-which is not the easiest thing.

-No.

And I don't have a lot of money either. Shall I leave now?

If you like!

What's this though, lurking in Rob's cabinet?

That's quite a nice calendar there.

Birmingham, 1936,

engine turned,

a bit of a price, 75.

-I can do something with the price.

-Can you?

-Yes.

-So, it's a usable object...

-Yes.

-That would look nice on a desk.

Yes, £30, if you're interested.

That seems all right.

-I think you ought to buy the boat.

-What? The boat?

How much is it?

It's got 85. It's got wheels as well.

Oh, wheels?!

We're digressing. You've got me on this.

Well spotted, Margie.

Diversionary tactic to the starboard.

But perhaps there 's a treasure box down below.

What's this little, papier mache box?

Pretty little box, isn't it? Oooh, Jennens and Bettridge.

Oooh, there now. The best maker.

-You've got the name on the base.

-Yeah.

At the beginning of the 19th century,

Jennens and Bettridge were highly regarded for producing

high-quality papier mache wares.

They patented a form of inlaid decoration using materials

such as coloured glass, ivory, tortoiseshell, gemstones

and, as in this box, mother of pearl.

So what sort of money is it anyhow?

We've got 55 on it.

-What are you thinking?

-We're back to 30 quid, aren't we? 20 or 30 quid.

-You're talking 25, are you?

-I've got it in my head, 25.

That's today's price.

-Yeah, all right.

-Do you reckon?

-Yes.

You know what horrible people do now?

They add the two together, don't they?

Oh, no. I've fallen into a trap.

SHE LAUGHS

So there's two items. They're £25 each.

-Yes.

-I'll take another fiver off if you want.

OK, you've done it. Thank you very much indeed. Put it there.

-All right.

-Thank you.

So that's £45 for the calendar and the papier mache box.

I think you ought to buy the boat.

Oh, he's gone off the subject. I've lost him.

You are not giving up, are you, Rob?

It's called the Hispaniola.

Is it really? Does that improve things?

This toy boat is a model of the notorious pirate ship

from Robert Louis Stevenson's masterpiece, Treasure Island.

But, shiver my timbers, it's £85.

I'd take 40 for it...

-if you're interested, to help you out.

-Yeah?

Well, I'd be blowed.

I'll have a punt at 20 quid.

HE GROANS

How about 30?

What do you think?

Yeah, OK. Done.

Cor, Rob saw you coming there, Margie.

OK, it's time for our competitive duo to reveal to each other

exactly what they've bought. Over tea.

-Da-da-da-da.

-Oooh!

-I love the bows.

-Yes?

-I'm a bit worried about this.

-As an afterthought? Maybe you're right.

-That's my feeling.

But for the price I paid, I just thought it was worth it.

You'd better tell me what you paid.

-And it's not difficult to find a trompe l'oeil vase.

-In your own time.

-Erm, £25.

-Oooh.

It's nicely carved, Margie. I think you've done a good job. Well done.

-Oooh!

-Oh, no, this is not terribly exciting, Margie.

I've regretted buying it, to be honest with you.

-It's in a bit of a sorry state.

-Very attractive plate.

-How much did you pay?

-£18.

Well, that's absolutely lovely.

Silver seems to be the theme of the day.

I know we see an awful lot of them,

but not always that quality and condition.

I love it. I love the shape. I love the design.

I love that aesthetic, that Japonesque period.

-£18.

-18?!

-Yup.

-Oh, well.

It's not going to be... If I got 30...

Yes, I'd like to see it make 30 because it is quality.

But what will Margie make of Mark's arc?

Oh, I've just broken it.

No, don't look, Margie.

Ta da!

Oh! Noah's Arc.

-Noah's Arc.

-That's great.

-With some animals, not all of them.

There's a pair of rhinos. I just thought, it's a bit of fun.

-There's Noah himself.

-I know.

-It's quirky.

-It's quirky.

-It's amusing.

-It's amusing.

-But is it quality?

-No. Two out of three.

-Two out of three, Margie.

-I like it.

-But it wasn't expensive.

-How much was it?

-£15.

Margie's papier mache box is next up for some Stacey scrutiny.

-Oh, yes, this is a good name, Jennens and Bettridge.

-Yes.

-Possibly the best papier mache makers of the Victorian period.

-That's the only reason I bought it.

-Well, There had to be a reason.

-Ouch.

I mean, what is that flower supposed to be?

I don't think it matters with the name of the company.

Of course it matters! You're not going to put it like that, are you?

-Yeah, but...

-It looks like a day of the triffid.

Let's wait and see.

How much did you pay for your Jennens and Bettridge?

-25.

-Well, good luck.

The gloves are off now.

-I think they're rather charming.

-They are.

-Do you think they're well executed?

-No, but naive school isn't.

How much did you pay?

£70.

-Really?

-Yes.

Wow. I am surprised.

-Why?

-Well, it's quite a lot, isn't it?

Oh, what a surprise. Silver.

There's a theme developing here.

-Does it work?

-Yes. It does.

-It works.

-What's the date on it? It looks 20s, 30s.

-'36.

Ah, well.

-Engine turned.

-I like the engine turning. Pretty little object.

How much?

-I got it for 20.

-That's a steal.

You should get a healthy return.

I do hope so.

-I'm not happy about this, Margie.

-Why?

You're getting the hang of this.

LAUGHS

I'm not happy here at all. That little dish...

which I think is part of a travelling communion set.

It's the pattern.

I bought it with this rather nice match striker...

Now that is nice!

..which is hallmarked for about 1903

and he agreed to my offer of £40...

-for the two.

-Yeah, that's good.

-Is that all right?

-Yes. Very good.

Have a look at the smile!

It's trapped wind.

Oh, my!

LAUGHTER

What on earth is that?!

Well, it's 1950s. Little wheel, look.

There's a little wheel.

Which is completely in proportion to the rest...

Excuse me, I've missed a feature.

-Really?!

-Wheels...

-underneath.

-Oh, how lovely.

That helps it on water(!)

A little child could run it along the floor.

I don't know what to say, Margie.

Is it a collector's item or is it not?

Well, I wouldn't collect it.

I bought this for £30.

OK.

That'll sink without trace.

Last up, Mark's butler's tray.

I think the legs have got a bit of age, Edwardian, or something.

-The top, I think, is early Victorian.

-That's really nice.

-A nice mahogany one.

-How much was it?

-It was marked up at 70

-and I got it for 45.

-That's fine.

I think your things are probably a lot more interesting than mine.

Oh...I'd...I'd hate to agree with you...

but you're probably right.

As if we didn't know. Let's see what they really think.

My least favourite is the Jennens and Bettridge.

I know why Margie bought that. It's got the name,

but in my opinion, not a lot else.

I think perhaps the Noah's Ark is Mark's weakest item.

I don't think anything's going to stride away.

This leg of our trip started off in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire,

and will conclude in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

Margie is lagging behind but Mark's not out of the woods yet.

I think you're pretending

and all of the sudden, wallop, on the last day.

Last day, Chippendale table.

We all like a nice Chippendale(!)

Speak for yourself, Mark.

Back in 878, Chippenham was taken over by the Danes,

but luckily Alfred the Great came to the rescue

and defeated the invaders, forcing them to withdraw from Wessex

and become Christians while he was at it.

Our two invaders are preparing for battle with each other.

Lovely sunshine.

You know what they say, the son only shines on the righteous.

Well, let's get in there.

Auctioneer Richard Edmonds will be wielding the gavel today.

So what does he think of our experts' choices?

One of my favourites is the pretty papier mache box

by Jennens and Bettridge.

It's quality, it's got a good name and it's pretty as well.

The paintings are rather nice.

They're untouched condition,

that's what people like when buying art,

they don't like it fully restored, and good subject matter as well.

Mark Stacey spent precisely £188 on five auction lots

amongst which nestle a wooden Noah's arc,

a butler's tray and a pair of 19th-century naive oil paintings.

-Wonderful, see you later.

-Thank you. Goodbye.

-Thanks again.

Margie Cooper spent somewhat less,

£118,

also on five auction lots

including a papier mache box,

a silver table calendar

and the Hispaniola, a model of a galleon.

I must be mad.

Time to snuggle down into that rather grand sofa now,

chap and chapess.

The auction is about to begin.

Here we go.

This could be the start of something special

or the beginning of something awful.

First up, Margie's papier mache stationary box,

the one Mark believes is her Achilles heel.

I've got one, two, three, four commissions this time.

I have to start at 40. Five.

50. Five. 60, anywhere?

At £55. At 55.

Best of the bids at £55 then.

It sells then at 55.

Margie, well done.

Ooh, an excellent profit of £30 for Margie's first item.

Could she be the comeback kid?

-I've made a whole £25.

-35.

-35!

Mark's arc next.

Will the buyers be lining up in twos?

-Rather nice piece.

-Super lot, this.

One, two, three commission bids.

I bid 30. Start at 30.

Is there five?

At 30. At 30.

-Come on.

-Is 30 the best of them?

At £30 then. All done.

-Be satisfied.

-I'm pleased with that.

Maybe not top quality but someone clearly loved it.

Do you know, I feel quite religious after that result.

Hopefully no prayers will be needed

for Margie's silver-plated centrepiece.

Super quality this.

-Don't get carried away.

-I have to start at 30. Five. 40.

At 40 bid.

Oh, go on a bit more.

40 on the commission.

-Is there five anywhere?

-I think that's enough.

At £40 then. You're all done? You're quite sure?

At £40.

That's a bit disappointing.

-At least it's a profit.

-It is a profit.

Well said, Mark. It's a profit, Margie. Be glad!

Two profits, what does it feel like to actually make a profit?

Stop being sarcastic!

The battle of the silver items begins.

Mark's basket next. Will it be a lemon?

30.

£30, surely?

Come on.

£20 away then. £20, somebody?

Anybody, 20?

-God.

-Ten then. Anybody £10?

-That's silly.

-Ten bid.

Thank you, madam.

At 10, seated. 12, standing.

15. 18.

-20. 22.

-It's creeping up.

25. Don't stop now.

At £22, standing. At 22.

Against you, seated. £22, lady's bid then.

Selling then at 22...

-That's awful.

-That's a shame. It just needed re-plating. I did say.

It's a profit but once the auction house knocks off

its well-earned commission, hardly.

-It's a loss.

-I'm sorry for your disappointment.

-Thanks, Margie.

There was such sincerity in that remark.

Ahoy there, Chippenham. Any swashbuckling bidders out there?

£30.

20 then, somebody.

Anybody, 20?

Surely, £20?

£10, anybody? Anybody, £10 for this?

Look at this. £10, thank you. £10 bid.

At 10. 15, anywhere?

-£10.

-Oh, no.

-Oh, Marge.

At £10 then. Done at ten.

It was all going so well for you as well, wasn't it?

Margie wasn't so sure about that ship. She clearly hoped for more.

I did like it.

You're being wise after the event!

Well, of course, I'm a man.

Mark's big hope up next.

Has he been naive or rather savvy?

-One, two, three commissions.

-I can't look.

I have to go straight at 100. Ten.

120, anywhere? 110 bid. Is there 120?

120 with you. 130.

-140.

-HE GASPS

150. 160.

170.

180.

-190.

-Oh my goodness.

Is there 200 anywhere?

At £190 then, you're all done,

selling then at 190.

Well done.

-I'm trying to be pleased for you.

-That's not a bad profit, is it?

A great profit for Mark putting him firmly in the lead in this leg.

The story was there, the provenance was there and I just thought,

I've got to take a chance with them.

Don't rub it in, Mark.

Perhaps someone will make a date with Margie's silver table calendar

-bought for £20.

-Start at 25.

35.

40 anywhere? 35. 40.

Commissions over at 40. Five.

50. No? 45 then.

Far end, 45. Is there 50?

£45 then. Shout if I don't see you.

Selling at 45.

-Disappointed with that.

-You've more than doubled it.

I'm sorry, I'm disappointed.

Margie clearly hoped for more.

But it's a decent profit.

I think you did well. You made £25 on it.

Wow.

Mark's hoping to light a spark

with his silver match striker and patent.

30. Five. 40. Five.

50, anywhere? At 45.

-Come on.

-At 45.

At 45, the best of the three bids.

50, anywhere in the room?

Selling then at 45...

He did try hard.

He tried very hard there.

After commission, that's barely a profit.

Never mind, Mark.

You should have had a bit more for that.

Should have but I'm not too unhappy.

Margie's brooch next.

-Will this little beauty put her back in the running?

-Starting at 15.

20. And five, at 25. At 25,

looking for 30 now. At 25.

At £25.

A pretty brooch, this, at 25 only. 30 anywhere else?

Have a look at this. 30 clears the commission.

Gentleman straight ahead of me at 30. Selling at 30...

That's a good profit. £12. Well done.

A smart profit of £12.

Margie's edging her way back.

The final lot of the day, Mark's butler's tray, bought for £45.

Interest with me at £40.

At 40. Is there five? At 40.

Come on.

-Is there five now?

-Surely not?!

At 40. This is cheap at £40.

Is there five anywhere? At £40 then.

All done? You're quite sure?

-Only £40.

-I can't believe it.

-Selling...

-Oh my goodness me.

-£5, Margie. That plus commission, of course.

Oh dear. Mark's final lot failed to deliver him a profit. Bad luck.

-Well, that was a bit of a bummer, wasn't it?

-That was awful.

Not as awful as you think, actually.

Margie Cooper began this leg with £162.46

and made a small profit of £29.60 after auction costs.

That leaves her with £192.06 to spend tomorrow.

Mark Stacey started his trip with £257.02

and went on to make a robust profit of £80.14

making him today's winner.

He now has £337.16 to take forward tomorrow.

-Phew.

-That's not bad, is it?

-That's not bad at all.

-You made profit, Margie!

-I made profit!

-And I made a bit of profit.

-You have.

More importantly, we have more money for our next round.

-Marvellous. I'm thrilled.

-Come on.

Here we go.

-Ready?

-Ready.

Join us tomorrow when Margie considers a career change...

..and Mark makes a shocking offer...

-A tenner?!

-Yes.

-You must be joking.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd